“Hawaiians 1-2-3-4 in Duke Surfing,” 

Eddie Aikau gave Hawaii its second major surfing victory of the winter season by capturing first place in the 13th annual Duke Kahanamoku Surfing Classic at Sunset Beach yesterday.

Aikau’s victory followed Reno Abellira’s triumph in the Smirnoff Pro Championship last month. Abellira was fourth in yesterday's competition.

Hawaii surfers swept the first four places, Bobby Owens taking runner-up honors and Dane Kealoha finishing third. Australians Mark Richards, Rabbit Bartholomew, and Terry Fitzgerald took the next three places and Rory Russell of Hawaii wound up eighth.

The Duke meet was held in near-perfect conditions with 10- to 12-foot waves holding up throughout the competition. There were 24 entries and four prelim heats. The winner of each heat gained the finals while the second and third place finishers qualified for the semifinals The top four finishers in the semis joined the four earlier qualifiers in the finals which were held under a time limit.

1977 Duke Kahanamoku Surfing Classic

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